Can you wear glasses in a passport photo?
It depends on the country. The US and Australia require glasses off unless you have a medical reason, the UK allows them only if you have to wear them, Canada allows them with no glare, and India rejects coloured or dark glasses.
Rules checked on · official sources only
What each country says
| Country | Answer | Official quote | Source | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United StatesPassport | No. Remove eyeglasses for a US passport photo; if you can't for medical reasons, include a signed note from your doctor. | Take off any eyeglasses, sunglasses, or tinted glasses. Do not rest them on your head for the photo. If you cannot remove your glasses for medical reasons, please include a signed note from your doctor with your application. |
travel.state.gov | |
| United Kingdom | Only if you have to. If you must wear glasses, they cannot be sunglasses or tinted, and frames, glare, reflection or shadow must not cover your eyes. | Do not wear glasses in your photo unless you have to do so. If you must wear glasses, they cannot be sunglasses or tinted glasses If you must wear glasses, they cannot be sunglasses or tinted glasses, and you must make sure your eyes are not covered by the frames or any glare, reflection or shadow. |
gov.uk | |
| Canada | Yes, if your eyes are clearly visible and there is no glare on the lenses. | We accept photos with: glasses, if your eyes are clearly visible and there is no glare on the lenses |
canada.ca | |
| Australia | No. Glasses are not allowed unless you can't remove them for medical reasons; vision impairment alone is not an accepted reason. | You must not wear glasses in a passport photo unless you can't remove them for medical reasons. Vision impairment alone is not an acceptable reason to wear glasses in your photo. |
passports.gov.au | |
| India | Not stated directly. The portal says to avoid glare on eyeglasses with a slight head tilt; eyes hidden under coloured or dark glasses are not accepted. | Eyes must not be covered by hair. Glares on eyeglasses should be avoided with a slight upward or downward tilt of the head Photograph with dark background or in uniform, or with eyes hidden under coloured or dark glasses will not be accepted |
passportindia.gov.in |
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Answers quote the official pages linked above. Not affiliated with any government. Final acceptance is up to the issuing authority.